Code-hopping Titans star might bounce back to rugby
Melissa Woods |
Just days after former Wallabies playmaker Quade Cooper called for his return, flyhalf Carter Gordon could be on his way back to rugby union, although the Gold Coast Titans are yet to give him the green light.
Carter quit Australian rugby after the 2023 World Cup horror show and the demise of the Melbourne Rebels from the Super Rugby Pacific competition, signing with the Titans midway through 2024.
He has only played once, making his NRL debut in the final round this year after recovering from surgery following a spinal spinal fluid leak which threatened his career.
Following the Wallabies’ second Bledisloe Cup loss to New Zealand in Perth last weekend, Cooper questioned Australia’s tactics as well as the selection of Tane Edmed at flyhalf.
Edmed was the latest in a merry-go-round of players to wear the No.10 jersey following Noah Lolesio, who suffered a season-ending neck injury in the first Test of the year against Fiji in July.
Since then coach Joe Schmidt has started with Tom Lynagh, James O’Connor as well as ACT Brumbies recruit Edmed in the last two internationals.
While he has since apologised, Cooper, who played 80 Wallaby Tests between 2008 and 2023, said Edmed wasn’t up to Test rugby.
“So for me is he a good player yeah he’s ok but is he a test match 10? I’m my opinion no. Does that mean he can’t be in time,” Cooper said on X.
Cooper said big-kicking Gordon, who played under the chaotic reign of then Wallabies coach Eddie Jones, should be enticed back to rugby.
“The player we should be targeting to get back is Carter Gordon. With good coaching systems now in place he would absolutely flourish and using the depth of Ben Donaldson, Tom lynagh and old head James Oconnor,” Cooper continued on X.
He may get his wish with a cashed-up Rugby Australia (RA) sounding out the 24-year-old about a return to the 15-a-side code ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup on home soil.
Sydney Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase, a former Test teammate of Gordon, has already announced he will return to rugby at the end of the 2026 NRL season to chase World Cup selection.
While Nawaqanitawase immediately qualifies due to his five years in Super Rugby, Gordon only played four seasons, so would have to sign with another Australian club to be back in the Wallabies mix.
The Titans would also have to agree to release Gordon from the final year of his contract, with sources telling AAP discussions are at a preliminary stage and the club is yet to give the Queenslander permission to negotiation with RA.
It’s believed the Titans, who played Gordon in the centres in their final round NRL win over Wests Tigers, are happy to keep him on their books and see how he develops as an NRL player.
If Gordon wants to take up a big money offer from RA, the Titans won’t let him walk for free after paying his contract and supporting him through his injury and long-term recovery.
AAP
